My Christmas Loves

A few Christmas pictures of my 3 Christmas Loves

This picture took what felt like FOREVER to capture.  The boys were not in their best form.  One would complain, then the other. And then there's the issue of safety! (Don't worry...Mommy is hidden behind baby Annemarie making sure she's safe!) For all the hell it is to take Christmas pictures, Rose Bailey (of Rose Bailey Photography) was absolutely amazing and patient until we got the shot.  And I can't believe Annemarie opened her eyes, but she did! And the picture is priceless. 

Mommy & her 3 loves...Noah, Jackson, & Annemarie

Noah (6), Jackson (4), & Baby Annemarie (1 month at time of pictures)

All photos courtesy of Rose Bailey Photography

Jackson Christmas Pictures- Age 3

Jackson was not in the  mood for Christmas pictures, but we got a few! The one in front of the Christmas banner is my favorite. He's a sweetie! And so big at age 3!

Noah Christmas Pictures 2013~ age 5

Noah did an AWESOME job for his Christmas pictures this year! He didn't fuss, and even wore a hat when I asked! This red-headed love of mine is beyond photogenic.  He is simply gorgeous. My little model- age 5!

Noah Christmas Pictures 2012

Noah- Christmas Pictures 2012
This Christmas Noah is 4 years old! (Almost 5!) Where does the time go?  Noah is JOY Personified! He loves socializing, playing outdoors...anything ACTIVE really. He says the most amazing things, and has a passion for life that I hope he NEVER loses! He's the first one to bust out a dance move, sing a song, or draw a picture or a card to cheer up a friend.  He gives me "good morning hugs" every day.  We sing "Silent Night," every night before bed.  He tells me that I'm his "best pal."  I just adore my first-born.  I think the picture of him blowing the snow is one of my favorite pictures (if not THE favorite) of all of 2012. Merry Christmas, my darling.

Christmas cookies & holiday hearts

I had Rose Bailey come by and take some more pictures of the boys because Jackson was less-than-thrilled during our first family Christmas photo shoot.  See? Mama tries! I wanted to get pictures that were "us."  So, I opted for pajamas, in our house...doing what we do at Christmas time...baking cookies, playing trains, enjoying the Christmas tree.  And thank goodness that the Christmas tree pictures were facing the tree, because Jackson quickly was over it once again and began screaming his head off! But, luckily, I could place him in front of the tree screaming, and you can't tell in the picture. Actually, I think in this picture, he actually stopped screaming for a minute...but one can never know for sure!
How I love my boys...the magic of Christmas...making these memories...even though the PROCESS of making these memories can be a royal beating if I'm perfectly honest.  But you can't say that Mama doesn't TRY!!!
Love to all!

Another memory in the making

During our family Christmas picture shoot this year, Jackson was fussy and over it before it even began...and I was disappointed that I didn't get any pictures of Jackson or the boys together.  So, I asked my favorite photographer, Rose Bailey Photography if she would try to stop by the house on a spare afternoon to try a take 2.  I have enough natural light in our breakfast area, and I'm a big Christmas cookie baker, so I thought it would be easy enough to set out some Christmas cookies and snap pictures of the boys.  We also have an electric train around the tree and I figured that they would have fun with that, and it wouldn't require Jackson actually looking at the camera or smiling, as he is my challenging one in the photo department right now! (Noah is trained...smiles on the spot like his mama lol).

It started well.  Boys were at the table. Noah decorated cookies...Jackson wasn't much interested but enjoyed the dancing gingerbread man on the table.  But when it was time for the train, meltdown city. Everyone got frustrated (including Mama!) because the train wouldn't stay on the track and then meltdowns began, and Jackson just wanted me to hold him...but I looked like holy hell and did not want to be in the picture.  Good times! At one point, Rose told me, "Breathe, Brenda!" Nothing like trying to create fake happpy memories for your kids! Goodness! When Michael walked in, Jackson was screaming and Noah was refusing to participate, and I was about ready to pull my hair out. I just started laughing outloud at the chaos. THAT should've been the shot! Because that is real life, folks.  Luckily, I have this picture permanently imprinted on my brain---no photo required!
I snapped a couple pix of the boys before the fiasco...and they are precious indeed.  But let me tell you...it is SO MUCH work!!
Gotta love it.
But I realize I'm blessed to be able to do this...to have the time, the money, healthy kids....to take the pictures.  Life is really good, despite the chaos.

Mommy & her boys...Christmas pix 2012

My boys...Christmas session 2012

Isn't it so funny how they are so different? Yet each so spectacular?
Jackson was not "feeling" the picture vibe the day of our session, so Rose Bailey wasn't able to get many pictures of him during our shoot. So, I'm having her come by again this week just to see if we can get a few more pictures of my favorite two-year old.  At least I can say I tried, right?!? 

I love the picture of us jumping on the bed and hiding under the covers. That's so "us" because that's just what we like to to!

Love, love, love my boys!

Mommy & Noah Christmas pics 2012

Mommy & Noah

Rose Bailey captured these pictures of Noah & I during our family Christmas picture shoot.  Needless to say, you can see we have fun! 

Noah is like me in so many ways. 

He LOVES people.

He finds joy in so many things.

He is passionate.

He is not afraid of being silly.

And he already has a sense of who he is...even at the tender age of 4.

I hope when I'm long gone...he'll be able to look back on these pictures...and see that his Mama really loved him...and that we shared a very special, connected relationship. 
Love, love, love my red-headed boy!
He is JOY personified!

Priceless Christmas Pix of my boys 2012

Here are a couple of priceless pictures of my boys from our Christmas session with Rose Bailey of Rose Bailey Photography.  Because it was a balmy 72 degrees in Texas the day of these pictures...I quickly dusted the trees behind Noah with some fake snow...and then gave Noah some very realistic looking snow that I bought at Hobby Lobby and told him to make a wish and blow the snow. Priceless pic!  And no smile required!
My husband will NEVER know all the mental and physical energy that it takes to put together a photo shoot for our family...and I must say...it's always a whipping...but when I look at pictures like these...it's totally worth it. VISION accomplished!
What holiday CHEER---so "us!"